What a Devilish Duke Desires (14 page)

When Mina and Everleigh completed their movements, they halted.

“We will all join hands to form a star circle in one direction for an eight count,” Lucy said.

Harry laid his hand over Lucy’s, and his skin tingled. The devil. The mere touch of her hand made him breathe harder.

“Now, switch hands and circle in the opposite direction.” Lucy met his gaze, and when her lips parted a little, Harry couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. He set his hand over her much smaller one as they turned in the opposite direction in a star circle. He imagined her hands clasped behind his neck and then sliding ever so slowly down his naked chest, teasing him with her slender fingertips.

They clasped hands and turned in a circle. Without breaking the movements, she directed everyone to turn in the opposite direction.

“The head couple skips forward and turns to face in the opposite direction,” Lucy said. He held her gaze as they skipped forward and turned to face in the other direction.

“Now the outside couples skip forward and turn to face the other direction.”

Harry had to see her after the dancing ended. He wasn’t sure what he would say. All he knew was that he had to talk to her. He was determined to win her. She’d played hard to get from the beginning, but it had only increased his desire for her.

Harry wanted her so badly that he couldn’t take his eyes off her. When her lips parted slightly, his blood heated and sizzled through his veins. She averted her eyes and directed everyone to form a star circle to the right. He imagined giving her a long, hot kiss. He wanted to tangle his tongue with hers and hear her moan for him. Good God. His cock was stirring in the middle of his mother’s crowded drawing room.

“The top and bottom couples move around the side couples on the
outside
in a half figure eight,” Lucy said, “while the head couples skip forward and turn about.”

When he turned about with Lucy, he met her gaze. “We must talk,” he said.

She narrowed her eyes and continued giving direction. “Inside couples turn in a half figure eight with the left shoulder around the side couples on the
inside
.”

As he passed her, he whispered, “I must see you afterward.”

Her lips parted as they passed each other. He wanted more than anything to take her somewhere private. If they were alone, he would pull her into his arms. He would kiss her senseless and let his hands smooth down the curve of her spine. Then he would plant kisses along her jaw and follow to her slim neck.

After the dancers completed the movements, Lucy said, “Excellent. Now, is everyone clear about the steps? If you have a question, please ask.”

“I think we’ve mastered it,” Mina said. “Harry, you’re doing well.”

He was aroused and hot all over.

Two elderly ladies raised quizzing glasses to their eyes and peered at him. Damned tight trousers hid nothing.

“Let us walk through the steps once more,” Lucy said, “and then we will try it with music.”

On the second walk-through, Lord Chesfield turned in the wrong direction, but he laughed at his faux pas. “Sorry,” he said. “I’ll try to do better next time.”

The third time, everything went smoothly.

“Now let us try with music. Will you play, Mrs. Vernon?” Lucy asked.

“Yes, when you are ready.”

Lucy curtsied. “Then let us begin.”

Harry’s gaze kept returning to Lucy. As they danced past each other, he found himself mesmerized. She performed the steps lightly and with a natural grace. When he clasped hands with her, he dared to whisper, “Look at me.”

She met his gaze and averted her eyes. “Careful,” she murmured.

He despised the pretense between them, but it was necessary. He certainly couldn’t reveal in his mother’s crowded drawing room that they were acquainted. It might cause problems for Lucy, and she likely depended on her dance lessons for income.

When the dance ended, there was a smattering of applause. Harry put his hands behind his back while the guests slowly departed.

The two elderly ladies smiled as they approached him. “You were our favorite.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, it was
our
pleasure,” one of them said.

The devil.

“Harry, you surprised me,” Mina said. “You’ve always claimed you have two left feet when it comes to dancing.”

“Now you’re found out, Harry,” Amelia said. “You won’t be able to hide in the game rooms this Wednesday night.”

Since he had no intention of attending Almack’s, he didn’t refute his cousins.

“Miss Longmore, you made the dancing seem so effortless,” Mina said. “Usually I feel apprehensive on the dance floor.”

“Nonsense, Mina, you are always poised,” Mrs. Norcliffe said.

Harry could not fault his mother for championing his cousins. His mother had her flaws, but she’d always treated the girls with affection.

Mrs. Norcliffe turned to Mrs. Vernon. “I do thank you for the recommendation. The instruction certainly helps one recollect the beauty of the quadrille. Hopefully tonight my Mina will advance in the competition.”

“Aunt, I only wish to enjoy the dancing. I care nothing for prizes,” Mina said.

“Care nothing?” Mrs. Norcliffe said, her voice pitching higher. “It is important that you do your best. I’m counting on you. It is crucial that you make a favorable impression. Hundreds of others will be watching.”

“The very idea makes my legs turn to jelly,” Helena said, “but, Mina, you are not bashful.”

“I try not to think about others watching me,” Mina said. “Otherwise, I’d be terrified of turning in the wrong direction and would most certainly make a mistake because I was apprehensive.” She turned to Lucy. “Miss Longmore, how long have you been dancing?”

“My mother claimed I danced as soon as I learned to walk, but of course she was exaggerating.”

“There is a great difference between country assemblies and Almack’s,” Mrs. Norcliffe said with a sniff.

Harry frowned at his mother’s condescension. She’d clearly retained Lucy to direct the dancing. Why the devil did she have to treat her in this haughty manner?

“Indeed,” Lady Jersey said. “Only those who have influential family, elegance, and a certain
je ne sais quoi
may pass through the hallowed doors of Almack’s.”

Mina’s lips twitched as she exchanged an amused look with Harry.

He didn’t give a damn about Almack’s. He needed to see Lucy after this foolish practice ended. He had to speak to her, let her know he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Lucy curtsied to Mrs. Norcliffe. “Madame, I will be glad to return next week if you wish.”

“No, you are dismissed,” Mrs. Norcliffe said in a curt manner. “The butler will see to your compensation.”

Harry ground his teeth at his mother’s abrupt dismissal and scowled at her. Naturally she only lifted her brows. He took a step toward Lucy, instinctively wanting to defend her, but he checked the impulse, because he dared not make a scene in front of all these people.

Lucy curtsied, squared her shoulders, and walked out of the drawing room with her head held high.

He wanted to follow her, but he knew it would make matters worse. When they were at the park, he never felt the differences in their social stations, but his mother’s brusque tone made it seem as thick as the London fog.

Lucy’s face burned like a hot coal.

She was more than a little shaken as she stepped outside Mrs. Norcliffe’s drawing room. Why had the woman hired her if she did not have confidence in her capabilities? Lucy knew she had taught the lesson flawlessly. It was one she’d taught dozens of times in the past. She knew the country dances well, and Mrs. Vernon had recommended her. She thought back to everything that had transpired, but she’d done nothing to deserve the curt dismissal. The only thing that stood out in retrospect was that Mrs. Norcliffe had recognized her because she served lemonade at Almack’s. But why would that displease her?

She’d wanted the nobles to notice her so that she could gain new clients, but she’d been mortified by Mrs. Norcliffe’s rude dismissal in front of Harry.

She was no stranger to aristos treating her in an offensive manner. She’d endured rude comments from spoiled little rich girls numerous times when she’d worked for Madame Delanger. She’d mentally dismissed them because they were strangers, and she didn’t care what they thought of her—if they thought of her at all. She’d felt superior to the haughty, demanding customers.

But it had been an entirely different matter when Mrs. Norcliffe had humiliated her in front of Harry in an overflowing drawing room.

Damn his mother for treating Lucy with disdain.

After all the guests left, Mrs. Norcliffe put the sheet music aside and settled in her favorite chair. “Girls, you may be excused. I wish to have a private discussion with Harry.”

He regarded his mother coldly. “There will be no discussion, and I will not escort you to Almack’s. You can find your own way there.”

“Harry, why are you doing this?” Mrs. Norcliffe said in a shocked tone.

“You know damn well. I will not allow you to abuse an employee or a servant.”

“Mind your tongue. Of course you will escort us,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “If you do not, you will insult your cousins and me. Others will remark upon your absence and think that you have no respect for your family.”

“I’m not escorting you tonight or any other night. That’s the end of it.”

“You are the head of the family, Harry. What you do reflects upon me and your cousins, especially now that you are a duke. You must think of your consequence.”

His nostrils flared. “I don’t give a rat’s arse what anyone thinks. The dukedom is mine. Havenwood means far more to me than a ballroom full of haughty, pretentious sycophants who suddenly want to make my acquaintance. A year ago, those same people rebuffed me because I had neither property nor money. I will have nothing to do with insincere toadeaters. Enjoy your evening at Almack’s. I won’t be there.”

Mrs. Norcliffe rapped her fan on the arm of her chair. “I saw you ogling Miss Longmore at Almack’s and again in my drawing room.”

Now he knew the reason for her curt response to Lucy, but that only strengthened his resolve. His mother and her fellow patronesses could go hang for all he cared.

As he strode down the stairs, she followed. “Harry, I will not tolerate this willfulness.”

He ignored her as his boot heels clipped on the marble floor. Gibson watched him, wide-eyed, as he approached the foyer.

“Harry, come back here,” Mrs. Norcliffe called out. “I have not finished.”

Harry strode out to his carriage. Fury made his temples ache. How dare his mother treat Lucy in such a wretched manner? He wouldn’t stand for her insults.

Right now, he needed to find Lucy and let her know he would never let anyone speak to her in that abusive manner again.

Since they had met at Green Park twice before, he hoped to encounter her there. He wanted Lucy to know that he respected her and that he would not allow his mother to mistreat her again. But first, he’d better see about Bandit. It was Barlow’s half day off, and the puppy must be wild to go outside.

The moment Harry put his key in the door, Bandit started barking. He walked inside, bent down, and ruffled the collie’s fur. “Shall we go for a walk?”

The puppy barked again. Harry attached the leash, and Bandit kept jumping on his legs. He strode along Piccadilly until he reached the park. Bandit nosed through the grass as they walked along. He’d hoped to see her waiting on the bench, but she wasn’t there. Perhaps she had another dance lesson to teach. Or maybe she had errands. More likely, she’d purposely avoided him.

While Bandit explored the grass and pissed on a number of trees, Harry scuffed his boots in the damp grass. He hated that his mother had treated Lucy like a lowly servant. His mother was well known for her haughty behavior, but he’d be damned before he let her discredit Lucy ever again.

That same morning

After she collected the purse, Lucy fled the town house and didn’t slow her steps until she reached the bench where she’d met Harry in Green Park previously. Then she inhaled on a shuddering breath. She couldn’t face Harry now. Especially not now. She hurried out of the park, because she couldn’t bear for him to know how much his mother’s disdain had hurt her.

He likely hadn’t gone to the park, hoping to meet her, but she didn’t want to know if he’d done so or not. From the moment she’d met him, she’d known that he was privileged.

He was a duke, a man of power and prestige. A man whose servants catered to his every need. A man who lived in an exotic world of marble floors, lush Axminster carpets, and gold-plated mirrors.

His mother’s words had said it plainly enough.
“There is a great difference between country assemblies and Almack’s.”

She shouldn’t care what Mrs. Norcliffe thought of her. Even though she tried to calm herself, the turmoil churned within her. All she’d wanted was to find new clients and earn money so that she could open her own dance studio one day. She’d wanted nothing to do with him, but he’d persisted and managed to charm his way into her life.

Today he’d witnessed her humiliation.

Her head ached. She needed guidance from her friends. Mary and Evelyn had always given her sound advice in the past. Lucy knew she must use caution. Madame Delanger would frown upon her presence, but she only meant to make plans with her friends to meet later. The shop bell jingled as Lucy opened the door, and Evelyn hurried to the entrance. “Lucy, I didn’t expect to see you.”

“I’ll not disturb you long,” she said. “I wish to meet you and Mary tonight after the shop closes, but perhaps I should greet Madame Delanger first.”

“Madame is abed,” Evelyn said.

“Is she ill?”

Evelyn shook her head. “Come with me to the sewing room. We can talk there.”

Lucy perched on a chair. “What is this about?”

Evelyn finished pinning lace on a gown. “I arrived early to finish this gown and heard this awful moaning upstairs. I thought Madame was ill. So I ran up the steps. Then I heard the bed ropes squeaking and Madame crying out
Mon Dieu
over and over again.”